Injured winger Lote Tuqiri will remain with the Wallabies for the remainder of their European tour even if he is unable to play.

Tuqiri has been out of action since undergoing knee surgery in September and was only cleared to make the tour a day before the side departed.

The former rugby league international had targeted this week’s clash against England to make his return, but Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said he was not yet close to making his return.

“He’s just now starting to work on the field and starting to do more rugby-specific work and we’ll just monitor his progress,” Deans said.

Deans said before the tour that Tuqiri would be sent home if he suffered any setbacks but has since decided he will remain with the team, where he can receive specialist care from the team doctors, physios and conditioners.